FBI Director Kash Patel said Friday that the FBI offered assistance immediately after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie but was not granted access to the investigation for the first four days.
Speaking with NewsNation, Patel stated that because the case initially fell under local jurisdiction, the FBI was not the lead investigative agency. However, he said federal agents offered assistance from the outset.
“From day one, the FBI offered up our assistance because it was a state and local matter. So we were not the lead agency because it was not being investigated as a federal matter,” Patel said.
He added that the FBI was not allowed into the investigation during its first four days.
“We showed up immediately and offered our assistance. We were not let in for four days. And that’s their choice,” Patel said.
The comments highlight continuing tensions between the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office over how the investigation has been handled.
Patel also claimed the FBI offered to conduct DNA testing connected to evidence recovered during the investigation, but local authorities chose a private laboratory instead.
“We offered our assistance to go test the DNA. And it’s up to them. They chose to use a private laboratory,” Patel said.
The sheriff’s office has previously disputed suggestions that it withheld evidence from federal investigators. Earlier this year, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos rejected claims that his department was preventing the FBI from participating in the case.
According to Nanos, discussions centered on how evidence—including gloves found near the scene—should be processed, with local investigators preferring to send all items to a laboratory that already maintained relevant DNA profiles and databases.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen after being dropped off at her home by family members. Her disappearance drew national attention after she failed to attend a scheduled church livestream the following morning and could not be contacted, per Yahoo.
Despite extensive search efforts, public appeals from family members, and a substantial reward offer, authorities have released few major developments in recent months.
Patel emphasized that the FBI remains willing to assist and said he personally visited the bureau’s Tucson field office during the investigation.
The latest remarks are likely to renew scrutiny of the early stages of the case and the coordination between federal and local law enforcement agencies as the search for answers continues.
